Medicines lose edge in space

ON THE RADAR:News from the world of science

Astronauts who feel poorly had better look carefully at the on-board medicine chest: stored drugs can lose their potency more quickly when in space than on Earth, according to a new study.

The research, carried out at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, analysed physical and chemical changes in 35 formulations stowed aboard the International Space Station in Earth’s orbit and compared them with counterparts on terra firma. After 28 months, the drugs in spaceflight were more likely to have lower levels of active ingredients than the drugs on the ground.

– The APPS Journal

So you want to be a cyborg?

Some kids want to be a fire-fighter when they grow up, others want to be a cyborg. Kevin Warwick, professor of cybernetics at the University of Reading, presumably fell into the latter category, and he’s in Dublin this evening to talk about experiments he has conducted using his own body.

They include implanting a simple RFID transmitter underneath his skin.

The event, which is supported by Science Foundation Ireland, starts at 6pm this evening at the Science Gallery in Trinity College Dublin. For tickets go to sciencegallery.com/events